Decision details

To decide which local project proposals for new/improved local facilities to prioritise following the project ideas and grant applications received through the June-July 2015 bidding process.

The Committee received a report from Tim Wetherfield, the Urban Growth Project Manager regarding the local project proposals received during the S106 bidding round last summer and options for the use of surplus play equipment from the Vie development in East Chesterton. The Area Committee’s priority-setting decisions on the local project proposals were set in the context of new S106 income tapering off and S106 funding availability running down. Those projects that were prioritised by the Area Committee would undergo local consultation and project appraisal, as appropriate.

 

Members welcomed the fact that many of the proposals were community-driven.

 

In response to questions, the Urban Growth Manager confirmed that:

 

1. the same S106 eligibility criteria had been applied consistently to project proposals across all parts of the city. Local project proposals in North Area were a matter for the North Area Committee to consider.
2. the Chesterton Methodist Church proposal was not yet ready for consideration by the committee. S106 funding was reducing and there might not be sufficient available for this project when it was at a fully developed stage.

 

Q1. Paul Ashley

The Methodist Church appreciated the support received from officers and understands why the project was not being recommended at this stage. The church would welcome any help that might be available at a later date.

 

A. Councillor Manning suggested that there might be Community Infrastructure Funding, available from the Station development, in the future.

 

Q2. Councillor Pitt

What is the situation regarding community use agreements if a school/academy (which receives S106 funding) subsequently changes hands?

 

A. Ian Ross, Sports and Recreations Manager, confirmed that community use agreements were stringent and addressed the possibility of changes of ownership. In the event that agreed levels of community use ceased to be made available, the agreements included conditions enabling grant-funding to be reclaimed.

 

Q3. Member of the Public

Residents from the Bateson Green area are here and would appreciate support for their project.

 

Q4. Member of the Public

Additional play facilities in the Bateson Green area would bring a big improvement to the area.

 

The Committee received a selection of drawings from children who use the green on Bateson Road to demonstrate the sort of play equipment they would like to see.

 

Turning to the use of surplus play equipment from the Vie development, the Urban Growth Project Manager outlined three options for installing the equipment at nearby play areas.

 

Members expressed their support for Option B.

 

Resolved (unanimously):

 

     i.        (Recommendation 2.1) Prioritised the following local project proposals for the use of devolved S106 contributions from North Area, subject to project appraisal and community use agreement, as appropriate:

 

a. an outdoor sports grant of up to £100,000 for four tennis courts at North Cambridge Academy (subject to planning permission);

 

b. a community facilities grant of up to £71,000 for eligible community facility improvements at the Rowan centre on Humberstone Road; and

 

c. up to £52,500 for open space landscaping and play area improvements at Bateson Green.

 

    ii.        (Recommendation 2.2) Selected Option B for installing surplus play equipment (originally ordered for play area at the Vie development in East Chesterton) at nearby play areas, subject to further consultation with local ward councillors on the detailed arrangements.

 

Option B: Dundee Close play area (roughly half the play equipment) plus Discovery Way and Scotland Road play areas (roughly a quarter each).

 

   iii.        (Recommendation 2.3) Approved the allocation of devolved S106 funding (around £33,500) for the installation and associated safety surfacing needed to deliver Option B (Recommendation ii. above) from the play area and informal open space contribution types, as appropriate.